World

Gabon's President Omar Bongo Ondimba Dead At 73

by Yuliya Talmazan | June 7, 2009 at 04:01 pm

958 views | 22 Recommendations | 4 comments

[UPDATE] It has now been confirmed that Omar Bongo Ondimba, the President of Gabon, has died by the Prime Minister of Gabon Jean Eyeghe Ndong who earlier denied allegations of Bongo's death. It turned out Bongo died from a heart attack rather than from cancer that he was treated for in the Spanish hospital where he died.

Omar Bongo Ondimba, the president of Gabon, has died in a clinic in the Spanish city of Barcelona, the country's prime minister has said.

"At 2:30 pm, the medical team informed me, as well as the officials and members of the family present, that the president of the republic, head of state Omar Bongo Ondimba had just passed away following a heart attack," the statement said.

It is reported that Gabon's air, water and land borders are in the process of being shut today in the wake of President Bongo Ondimba's death.

Gabon's defence ministry announced on Monday the closure of air, land and sea borders after the death of President Omar Bongo Ondimba, Africa's longest-serving leader.

As was reported by French media, Gabon's President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba died today at the age of 73 from cancer. Gabon's PM has still to confirm the reports of Ondimba's death. Ondimba was the world's longest serving ruler, excluding the royal heads of states. He is Africa's longest serving president having been in power for 42 years.

The Gabonese President Omar Bongo Ondimba has died, France 24 television reported on Sunday.

The Gabonese government announced on May 6 that President Bagon had suspended duties in order to rest and mourn the death of his wife. Gabonese Vice President Didjob Divungi Di Ndinge was put in charge of state affairs in Bongo's absence.

Bongo has been at the helm of the country for 42 years since he came to power in 1967, the longest serving president in Africa.

Under his leadership, Gabon has enjoyed political stability and rapid economic growth while military coups ravaged several Western African countries, triggering concerns from the international community.

Gabon's Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong said he was surprised by the French media reports.

"If such a situation happens, I think and I know that the family of President Bongo would naturally inform me. This is not the case at the moment I am talking to you," Ndong told Gabonese television on Sunday evening.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Pythiian1

at 17:42 on June 7th, 2009

Apparently, the BBC also reported the story with quotes around 'is dead' too..

Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong told Gabonese TV that he had been "very surprised" to read the reports.

"If such a situation comes about, I would think that the president's family would naturally get in touch with me," he said.

Paschen

at 18:15 on June 7th, 2009

It is one of West Africa's most peaceful and stable countries and yet rather small compared to most African Countries.

wewe (not verified)

at 06:03 on June 8th, 2009

Rip to bongo,hope there will be another death from long term serving president in africa since that is what they want.die in power.

Dan Finnan

at 07:42 on June 10th, 2009

But what will happen to Omar Bongo's cash and the legal action against him in France...

The complaint led to a criminal investigation into Omar Bongo and his relatives, which established ownership of 39 apartments, 70 bank accounts and nine cars in France.

Bongo's death puts a halt to the criminal case, however.

“There is no longer any legal action possible against Omar Bongo, because criminal liability requires for the person to be alive,” says Maud Perdriel-Vaissiére, a lawyer from the Sherpa association, which campaigns for social corporate responsibility.